KIRKMAN -- Jim and Lori Baughman of Kirkman announce the engagement of their daughter, Dena to Jon Kaufman both of Dubuque. Jon is the son of Mark and Sherry Kaufman, Harlan.        The couple will exchange marriage vows on June 17 at the United Methodist Church in Kirkman.

HARLAN -- Betty Markham of Harlan marked her 95th birthday on April 17. She celebrated with her family at a luncheon on May 6 at the Harlan Golf and Country Club.    Her entire family attended the evening Mass at St. Michael’s Catholic Church followed by a dinner at Phil and Amy Markham’s home.

REGIONAL – Area seniors are gearing up for commencement this weekend. Harlan Community High School will host graduation ceremonies Sunday, May 21 at 2 p.m. at the HCHS gymnasium. Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton will host graduation on Sunday, May 21 beginning at 2 p.m. The 54 students from IKM-Manning School District will graduate in ceremonies to be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 21.

    RURAL EARLING -- John and Georgean Assmann of rural Earling will mark their 60th wedding anniversary on May 20. They plan to celebrate with their family at a later date.    Their family includes Connie and Bob Owens, Allan and Kelly Assmann, and Sheryl and Frank Kilton all of Omaha. The Assmanns have six grandchildren.

    HARLAN -- Marian Riessen of Harlan will mark her 85th birthday on May 23. Her family is planning a card shower in her honor. Cards will reach her if sent to 2004 Garfield, Apt. 104, Harlan, IA 51537.    Her children are Dan and Jackie Riessen, Avoca; Mark and Linda Winfree, Oberlin, OH; Rod and Lois Riessen, Harlan; and Lisa and Aaron Molnar, Emerson, IA.

REGIONAL -- Ten students will graduate this week with the highest distinction at Harlan Community High School, ranked as the top 10 senior students at HCHS based on grade point average.    The students will be recognized during commencement ceremonies to be held Sunday, May 21 at 2 p.m.

SHELBY -- The City of Shelby is seeking title to a property in Shelby it has considered abandoned.    According to a petition filed in Shelby County District Court, the property is located at 420 East St., and includes a building that is abandoned, vacant and dilapidated.  Having interest in the property, according to court documents, are Larry Moore and Caryl J. Moore as deedholders; Ouren Title, Inc.

HARLAN -- Jacey Goetzman, Muscatine, recently joined the Harlan Newspapers as its summer intern.    Goetzman is a freshman studying journalism and mass communications as well as French at Iowa State University in Ames.    Goetzman said she has no specific plans after graduation, but that she does want to continue writing in the field of journalism.    While Goetzman didn’t begin exploring journalism until college, she quickly fell in love with

ELK HORN -- World champion Matt Stonie will compete with other top competitive eaters at the first-ever Annual Tivoli Fest World Æbleskiver Eating Championship sanctioned by Major League Eating on May 27 at 2 p.m. at Tivoli Fest, held in downtown Elk Horn.    Æbleskiver are a type of round pancake cooked in a special stove-top pan with half-spherical molds. The center is soft and fluffy and the crust is crisp and browned.